U.S. patent application number 12/188464 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-11 for drive member extractor tool for electric hair cutting devices.
Invention is credited to Gabriel S. Kohn.
Application Number | 20100031514 12/188464 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41651603 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100031514 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kohn; Gabriel S. |
February 11, 2010 |
DRIVE MEMBER EXTRACTOR TOOL FOR ELECTRIC HAIR CUTTING DEVICES
Abstract
A replaceable system for use with a hair cutting device, such as
a hair clipper or trimmer, having a rotary electric motor and a
bladeset is provided. The replaceable system includes a drive
member removably positionable between the rotary electric motor and
the bladeset of the hair cutting device. The drive member includes
a first end operably engaged to a moveable blade of the bladeset
and a second end operably engaged to the rotary electric motor. The
drive member translating the rotary motion of the rotary electric
motor to a reciprocating linear motion. An extraction tool is
further provided, where the extraction tool is removable attachable
to the drive member and is usable to remove and insert the drive
member between the rotary motor and the bladeset.
Inventors: |
Kohn; Gabriel S.; (Boca
Raton, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Sunbeam Products, Inc.
2381 Executive Center Drive
Boca Raton
FL
33431
US
|
Family ID: |
41651603 |
Appl. No.: |
12/188464 |
Filed: |
August 8, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
30/216 ;
30/223 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B26B 19/28 20130101;
B26B 19/48 20130101; B26B 19/06 20130101; B26B 19/3826 20130101;
B26B 19/3806 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
30/216 ;
30/223 |
International
Class: |
B26B 19/02 20060101
B26B019/02; B26B 19/38 20060101 B26B019/38 |
Claims
1. A replaceable system for use with a hair cutting device having a
rotary electric motor and bladeset, the replaceable system
comprising: a drive member removably positionable between the
rotary electric motor and the bladeset; and an extraction tool
removable attachable to the drive member.
2. A replaceable system for use with a hair cutting device as set
forth in claim 1, wherein the drive member includes: a first end
operable engagable with the bladeset; a second end operably
engagable with the rotary electric motor; and a center body,
wherein the extraction tool is removably attachable to the center
body.
3. A replaceable system for use with a hair cutting device as set
forth in claim 2, wherein the extraction tool includes a handle
portion and an engagement end, wherein the engagement end is
removable attachable to the center body.
4. A replaceable system for use with a hair cutting device as set
forth in claim 3, wherein the engagement end is threaded, the
engagement end being threadably attachable to a threaded portion of
the center body.
5. A replaceable system for use with a hair cutting device as set
forth in claim 3, the center body of the drive member includes a
raised housing, wherein the engagement end is removable attachable
to the raised housing.
6. A replaceable system for use with a hair cutting device as set
forth in claim 5, wherein the engagement end is threadably
attachable to a threaded portion of the raised housing.
7. A replaceable system for use with a hair cutting device as set
forth in claim 5, wherein the engagement end and center body
include a mechanical interlock.
8. A hair cutting device comprising: an electric rotary motor; a
bladeset including a stationary blade and a moveable blade; a drive
member removably interposed between the electric rotary motor and
the bladeset, the drive member including a first end operably
engaged to the moveable blade of the blade set, a second end
operably engagable to the rotary motor, and a center body; and an
extraction tool removably attachable to the center body of the
drive member, the extraction tool being usable to remove and insert
the drive member between the rotary motor and the bladeset.
9. A replacement kit for a hair cutting device as set forth in
claim 8, wherein the extraction tool includes a handle portion and
an engagement end, wherein the engagement end is removable
attachable to the center body.
10. A hair cutting device as set forth in claim 9, wherein the
engagement end is threaded, the engagement end being threadably
attachable to a threaded portion of the center body.
11. A hair cutting device as set forth in claim 9, the center body
of the drive member includes a raised housing, wherein the
engagement end is removably attachable to the raised housing.
12. A hair cutting device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the
engagement end is threadably attachable to a threaded portion of
the raised housing.
13. A hair cutting device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the
engagement end and center body include a mechanical interlock.
14. A hair cutting device as set forth in claim 8, wherein the
drive member converts the rotary drive motion of the electric
rotary motors or a reciprocation linear motion in the moveable
blade.
15. A method of replacing a drive member in a hair cutting device
comprising: providing a hair cutting device including a rotary
motor, a bladeset having a stationary blade and a moveable blade,
and a drive member removable interposed between the rotary motor
and the bladeset, the drive member including a first end operably
engagable to the moveable blade, a second end operably engagable to
the rotary motor, and a center body; providing an extraction tool
including a handle portion and extraction end; attaching the
extraction tool to the drive member, wherein the extraction end of
the extraction tool removably engages the center body of the
driving member; using the extraction tool to remove the drive
member from between the rotary motor and the blade set; providing a
second drive member; attaching the extraction tool to the second
drive member, wherein the extraction end of the extraction tool
removably engages the center body of the second driving member; and
using the extraction tool to insert the second drive member between
the rotary motor and the bladeset, where the first end of the
second drive member is operably connected to the moveable blade and
the second end of the drive member in operably connected to the
moveable blade.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to hair cutting
devices, such as clipper and trimmers, having a bladeset including
a moving blade reciprocating relative to a stationary blade and a
drive system for powering the bladeset, and more specifically, to
an extractor tool for the removal and insertion of a drive member
interposed between the drive system and the movable blade.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Conventional hair cutting devices, such as hair clippers and
trimmers, typically include a drive bearing powered by the drive
shaft of the rotary motor. The drive bearing converts the rotary
motion generated by the rotary motor into linear motion in the form
of the reciprocating movable blade relative to the stationary
blade.
[0003] Specifically, the drive bearing is offsettingly mounting to
the end of the drive shaft. In this manner, the drive bearing
member is eccentrically rotated as the drive shaft rotates. A drive
member is positioned between, and operably connected to, the drive
bearing at one end and engages the movable blade at an opposite
ended.
[0004] In operation, the eccentric rotation of the drive bearing
results in a reciprocating, linear, translation of the one end of
the drive member, and an opposite reciprocating, linear,
translation of the opposite end of the drive member and the
moveable blade. In time, operational conditions, including heat and
friction, combine to cause wear and deterioration of the drive
member. Such wear decreases operational efficiency of the hair
cutting device and often increases operational noise, and would
require replacement of the drive member. The replacement of the
drive member can be difficult due to the limited space and fit
tolerances.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present disclosure provides a replaceable system for use
with hair cutting devices, such as clippers and trimmers, having a
rotary electric motor and bladeset. The replaceable system includes
a drive member removably positionable between the rotary electric
motor and the bladeset of the hair cutting device. The drive member
translates the rotary motion of the rotary electric motor to a
reciprocating linear motion. An extraction tool is further
provided, where the extraction tool is removable attachable to the
drive member.
[0006] The hair cutting device has an electric rotary motor and a
bladeset, where the bladeset has a stationary blade and a moveable
blade. The drive member is removably interposed between the
electric rotary motor and the bladeset, where a first end of the
drive member operably engages the rotary motor and a second end of
the drive member operably engages the moveable blade of the
bladeset. The extraction tool is removably attachable to the center
body of the drive member, such that the extraction tool is usable
to remove and insert the drive member between the rotary motor and
the bladeset.
[0007] In a method of replacing the drive member in the hair
cutting device, the extraction tool is attached to the drive
member. The extraction end of the extraction tool is removably
engaged to the center body of the driving member. The extraction
tool is used to remove the drive member from between the rotary
motor and the blade set.
[0008] A second, new, drive member is provided, where the
extraction end of the extraction tool removably engages the center
body of the second driving member. Using the extraction tool, the
second drive member is inserted between the rotary motor and the
bladeset, where the first end of the second drive member is
operably connected to the rotary motor and the second end of the
drive member in operably connected to the moveable blade.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] A more complete understanding of the present invention, and
the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily
understood by reference to the following detailed description when
considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 depicts a top isometric view of a hair cutting device
for use with the drive member of the present disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 2 depicts a sectional top isometric view of the hair
cutting device of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 depicts a sectional top isometric view of the drive
system of the hair cutting device of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 4 depicts a drive member of the present disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 5 depicts an extraction tool of the present
disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 6 depicts the extraction tool of FIG. 5 in use to
engage a drive member of FIG. 4;
[0016] FIG. 7 depicts the drive member of FIG. 4 engaging a
moveable blade;
[0017] FIG. 8 depicts another drive member of the present
disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 9 depicts a cross sectional view of the drive member of
FIG. 8;
[0019] FIGS. 10A and 10B depict another drive member and extraction
tool configuration in a disengaged and engaged configuration;
[0020] FIGS. 11A and 11B depict another drive member and extraction
tool configuration in a disengaged and engaged configuration;
and
[0021] FIGS. 12A and 12B depict another drive member and extraction
tool configuration in a disengaged and engaged configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] Referring now to the drawing figures in which like reference
designators refer to like elements, there is shown in FIGS. 1-3, a
hair cutting device 10 suitable for use with the drive member of
the present disclosure is provided. The hair cutting device 10
includes a rotary type electric motor 14 having a drive shaft 16
projecting axially from a motor housing 18. A bladeset 20 having
movable and stationary blades 22, 24 is operably connected to an
end portion of the hair cutting device 10. The bladeset 20 includes
a biasing element 26 which causes the moveable blade 22 to be
slidingly biased against the stationary blade 24.
[0023] In order to translate the rotation of the drive shaft 16
into a linear motion a drive bearing 28 is affixed to the end of a
drive shaft 16. The drive bearing 28 is mounted to the drive shaft
16 in an off axis position. In this manner, as the electric motor
14 rotates the drive shaft 16, the drive bearing 28 is
eccentrically rotated.
[0024] The drive member 12 is positioned between the bladeset 20
and the motor 14. The drive member 12 is pivotally attached to the
hair cutting device 10 with the first end 30 of the drive member 12
engaging a drive recess 32 in the movable blade 22 and a second end
34 of the drive member 12 engaging the drive bearing 28.
[0025] In operation, an activation of the electric motor 14 rotates
the drive bearing 28 in an eccentric rotational motion. The
eccentric rotational motion of the drive bearing 28 drives the
second and first ends 34, 30 of the drive member 12 in
reciprocating linear motions. As the first end 30 of the drive
member 12 engages the movable blade 22, the movable blade 22 is
likewise moved is a reciprocating linear motion relative to the
stationary blade 24.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a drive member 12 of the present
invention is provided. The drive member 12 includes a central body
portion 36 having a first and second ends 30, 34. A center aperture
38 is provided through the central body portion 36 for receiving a
fastener 40 there through. The fastener 40 pivotally connects the
drive member 12 to the hair cutting device 10. A raised housing 42
is positioned about the center aperture 38, where the fastener 40
is insertable through the raised housing 42 and center aperture 38
to pivotally connect the drive member 12 to the hair cutting device
10. An extraction tool 44 is also provided having a handle portion
46 and an engagement end 48. The engagement end 48 of the
extraction tool 44 is configured to removable connect to the raised
housing 42 of the drive member 12.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, in operation, the extraction
tool 44 can be used to remove and insert a new drive member 12 from
the hair cutting device 10. During operation of the hair cutting
device 10, the drive member 12 wears over time, requiring
replacement. In operation, the worn drive member 12 is removed from
the clipper 10 by an initial removal of the fastener 40 positioned
through the raised housing 42 and center aperture 38 of the drive
member 12. The engagement end 48 of the extraction tool 44 is
connected to the raised housing 42 of the drive member 12. Using
the extraction tool 44, the drive member 12 is then removed from
the hair cutting device 10.
[0028] The new drive member 12 can then be inserted. The engagement
end 48 of the extraction tool 44 is connected to the raised housing
42 of the new drive member 12. Using the extraction too 44, the new
drive member 12 is seated in the hair cutting device 10, such that
the first end 30 of the new drive member 12 engages the drive
recess 32 in the movable blade 22 and the second end 34 of the new
drive member 12 engages the drive bearing 28. Once the new drive
member 12 is seated, the extraction tool 44 can be disconnected
from the new drive member 12. The fastener 40 is replaced, being
positioned through the raised housing 42 and center aperture 38, to
pivotally securing the new drive member 12 to the hair cutting
device 10.
[0029] Referring again to FIGS. 4 and 5, the engagement end 48 of
the extraction tool can include raised threads 52 about the outer
surface 50 thereof. The inner surface 54 of the raised housing 42
includes raised threads 56 thereon, matching the raised thread 52
of the engagement end 48 of the extraction tool 44. In this manner,
the extraction tool 44 can be connected to the drive member 12 by
inserting and threading the engagement end 48 of the extraction
tool 44 into the raised housing 42.
[0030] Alternatively, the engagement end 48 of the extraction tool
44 can include raised threads about an inner surface thereof. The
outer surface of the raised housing 42 includes raised threads
thereon, matching the raised thread of the engagement end 48 of the
extraction tool 44. In this manner, the extraction tool 44 can be
connected to the drive member 12 by threading the engagement end 48
of the extraction tool 44 about the raised housing 42.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, an alternative drive member 58
of the present invention is provided. The drive member 58 includes
a central body portion 60 having a first and second ends 62, 64. A
center aperture 66 is provided partially through the central body
portion 60, where the inner wall 68 of the center aperture 66 is
threaded 69. A bottom wall 70 of the center aperture 66 includes a
through hole 72 for receiving a fastener 40 there through. The
fastener 40 pivotally connects the drive member 58 to the hair
cutting device 10. Referring also to FIG. 5, the engagement end 48
of the extraction tool 44 includes matching raised threads 52. In
this manner, the extraction tool 44 can be connected to the drive
member 58 by inserting and threading the engagement end 48 of the
extraction tool 44 into the center aperture 66 of the central body
portion 60.
[0032] In the above examples the extraction tool 44 is connected to
the drive member 12 or 58 using threaded elements. However, it is
contemplated that the extraction tool 44 can be connected to the
drive member 12 or 58 using other mechanical interlocking
means.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, a drive member 80 and
extraction tool 82 having a mechanical interlock is provided. The
engagement end 84 of the extraction tool 82 includes a pair of
locking taps 86, 88. The housing 90 on the drive member 80 includes
oppositely positioned slotted sections 92, 94 configured to
receiving the locking taps 86, 88. The extraction tool 82 is
attached to the drive member 80 by positioning the engagement end
84 of the extraction tool 82 about the housing 90 and rotating the
engagement tool 82 to seat the locking taps 86, 88 in the slotted
sections 92, 94 in the housing 90. The extraction tool 82 can be
removed from the drive member 80 by rotating the extraction tool 82
in an opposite direction, unseating the locking taps 86, 88 from
the slotted sections 92, 94.
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, another drive member 100 and
extraction tool 102 having a mechanical interlock is provided. The
engagement end 104 of the extraction tool 102 includes a stepped
engagement member 106. The housing 108 on the drive member 100
includes a stepped channel 110, configured for receiving the
stepped engagement member 106 of the extraction tool 102 therein.
The extraction tool 102 is attached to the drive member 100 by
slidingly positioning the stepped engagement member 106 of the
extraction tool 102 in the stepped channel 110. The extraction tool
102 can be removed from the drive member 100 by sliding the stepped
extraction member 106 out of the stepped channel 100 in the housing
108.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 12A and 12B, another drive member 114 and
extraction tool 116 having a mechanical interlock is provided. The
engagement end 118 of the extraction tool 116 includes a pair of
locking taps 120, 122. The locking taps 120, 122 are pivotally
connected to the engagement end 118 and include a bias member 124
disposed there between. The bias member 124 biases the locking taps
120, 122 in a locked position. A release button 126 is operably
connected to the bias member 124, where a depression of the release
button 126 actuates the bias member 124 to bias the locking taps
120,122 in the open position. Upon releasing the release button
126, the biases member 124 biases the locking taps 120,122 into the
locker position.
[0036] The housing 128 on the drive member 114 includes oppositely
positioned slotted sections 130, 132 configured for receiving the
locking taps 120, 122. The extraction tool 116 is attached to the
drive member 114 by depressing the release button 126 to open the
locking taps 120,122 and positioning the engagement end 118 of the
extraction tool 116 about the housing 128. Once positioned, the
release button 126 is released, such the bias member 124 to biases
the locking taps 120, 122 in a locked position. In the locked
position, the lock taps 120, 122 engage the slotted sections 130,
132, locking the extraction tool 116 to the drive member 114. The
extraction tool 116 can be removed from the drive member 114 by
depressing the release button 126 to open the locking tabs
120,122.
[0037] All references cited herein are expressly incorporated by
reference in their entirety.
[0038] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that
the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly
shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was
made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the
accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications
and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, which is
limited only by the following claims.
* * * * *